Patient & Visitor's Guide

Thank you for choosing North Mississippi Medical Center to provide your medical care.
NMMC is a 650-bed regional referral center, which includes the 102-bed Women’s Hospital and 66-bed Behavioral Health Center. Our high standards are reflected in the exceptional quality of our physicians and staff and in the advanced diagnostic and treatment technology available.

At NMMC you will be cared for by a staff of nurses, technologists, therapists and other employees who have been selected on the basis of professionalism, experience and genuine concern for your well-being.

Hospital Accommodations

To make your stay more comfortable, we recommend that you bring a few personal items, such as a toothbrush and other toiletry articles, bathrobe, slippers and a nightgown or pajamas. The use of radios and other personal electrical appliances is discouraged.

Your physician will prescribe the medications you need to take while you are in the hospital. When you come to the hospital, bring the medications you take at home, or a current list of the medications and how you take them. After a pharmacist interviews you, your medications will be stored for your safety and returned to you when you are discharged.

The plastic identification bracelet that is placed on your wrist is for your safety. Please wear it throughout your hospital stay. If you are having a baby, another bracelet will be placed on your wrist before delivery. This band number matches the number on your baby’s identification band.

For Your Comfort

You can easily adjust your hospital bed with an attached control unit, and you can adjust your television set from your bed. Please do not hesitate to call your nurse any time you need assistance. A call button is located at the head of your bed or in the handrail. Your room has an individual temperature control, which allows you to adjust the heat and air-conditioning to your comfort.

Telephone Service

Your room is equipped with a telephone for your use and convenience, and there is no additional charge. Your friends and relatives may dial directly to your room by dialing the number that is printed on your phone. The phone number for your room is also posted on the writing board used by the staff. So that you may rest comfortably, incoming calls to patient rooms end at 9 p.m. and resume at 6 a.m. You may still make outgoing calls during this quiet time.

If you prefer not to receive telephone calls, simply dial “0” and notify the switchboard operator that you would like for your phone to be placed on “Do Not Disturb.” This prevents the phone in your room from ringing but allows you to continue placing outgoing calls.

To place a local call, dial “9,” listen for the dial tone then dial the local number. Any call placed to a number in Lee County and surrounding counties is considered a local call. To place a long-distance call, dial “9 + 1,” then the area code and the number you are calling.

All of NMMC’s telephones are equipped with hearing aid compatible handsets. If you experience any problems with your hearing aid and the telephone, please inform your nurse.

Helpful Information

There is no additional charge for use of the television and the local cable service. The medical center also operates its own closed-circuit channels which provide programs on current health topics. Channel 45 has information about rehabilitation and relaxation, channel 56 has an emphasis on heart topics, and channel 57 has an emphasis on diabetes education.

During your hospital stay, you may notice construction activity as we expand to provide better patient care. Every effort is made to keep noise and disruption to a minimum, and we regret any inconvenience that our construction may cause you. Please let your nurse know if the noise becomes too disturbing.

North Mississippi Medical Center offers interpretative services for hearing impaired patients. Please ask your nurse to consult a social worker if you desire this service. We also offer interpretive services for non-English speaking patients. If this service is desired, please ask your nurse to consult a social worker for an interpreter in person or by phone. Family members should not be used to interpret medical information.

During your stay at North Mississippi Medical Center, you or your family may request a visit from a chaplain. The hospital’s Pastoral Care staff offers spiritual counseling, worship experiences and prayer, and can also provide a Bible upon request. To contact a chaplain, call the hospital switchboard or ask your nurse.

Visitors

Visiting hours at the medical center are from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., except in special areas such as the intensive care units, the Rehabilitation Institute and Labor and Delivery. Visitors are asked to check with the patient representative in the Critical Care waiting area for visitation information.

Visiting hours for the Rehabilitation Institute are 5 until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 3 until 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visiting hours for the Intermediate Care Units (3 East and 4 South A) are 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. One person is allowed to spend the night. No visitors under age 14 are allowed, and please limit visitors to two at a time. Visitors who are sick or unable to care for themselves should not visit hospital patients.

Information concerning patient rooms may be obtained at the Information Desks located in the main lobby of NMMC and the Women’s Hospital. To ensure patient rest, visitors should be limited to two at a time at NMMC. Visitors should be at least 12 years old, although special exceptions will be made in unusual circumstances as approved by the physician. At this time, children under age 14 are not permitted in the Critical Care Unit Waiting Area. A specially designated children and adult waiting room is located near the CCU waiting room. Children must always be accompanied by an adult. Visitors may be requested to leave the room briefly when doctors, nurses or other health care professionals need to treat the patient.

At Women’s Hospital, visitation is limited in the labor rooms. In the Postpartum area, only two adult visitors are allowed during babies’ feeding times. Siblings may visit at any time if they are in good health.

Your Opinion Matters

If you have a special concern, question, problem or compliment during your stay at North Mississippi Medical Center, please tell an employee or call CARELINE at extension C-A-R-E (2273). Someone will assist you promptly and will try to respond to your concern within 20 minutes.

North Mississippi Medical Center rewards employees who exhibit extraordinary dedication and exceed the expectations of their job through a program known as Stars On-Line. If you are particularly impressed with the service you receive from an employee or a group of employees, please ask for a Stars Online nomination form. You may also e-mail your comments through our web site, www.nmhs.net.

Parking & Access

Visitor parking is available in the southeast garage as well as the south parking lot. Designated handicapped parking is available in each of NMMC’s parking areas.

All public entrances open at 5:30 a.m. Public entrances are found at the Admissions/Discharge entrance, the Emergency Room entrance and the main lobby. Visitors who must enter or leave the Medical Center before scheduled times should exit or enter through the Emergency Room entrance located on the ground floor. Wayfinding guides are available at the security information desk should you need assistance locating these or other areas in the hospital.

Food Services

Your daily diet, which is prescribed by your physician, is an important part of your recovery. A catering associate will deliver your meal and assist in notifying nursing if you need help. The associate will also leave a flower tent that includes his or her name and contact number with your first tray to keep by your phone. You may also call extension 3018 for assistance.

The Food Court is located on the first floor of the medical center and is open daily from 6-9:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Chick-fil-A and Subway are located on the first floor of NMMC’s East Tower, near the elevators. Chick-fil-A is open from 7 a.m.-midnight Monday-Saturday. Subway is open from 7 a.m.-midnight seven days a week.

Starbucks NMMC Cafe, located in the lobby of the Main Unit, has expanded coffee and chilled drink selections as well as a variety of food offerings. There is an expanded seating area as well with tables, WIFI and wall plugs. The cafe is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cafe Express at Women’s Hospital is open from 7 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are invited to use all these locations, and carryouts and snack items are available.

Additional Services

The NMMC Gift and Floral Shop is located in the main hospital lobby and open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Orders may also be placed online by clicking here.

In the main hospital, bank automated teller machines and coin-operated newsstands are located on the first floor near the Security Desk. A post office box for outgoing mail is also located there, and stamps are available in the gift shop. Newsstands are located in front of the entrance to Women’s Hospital.

Wireless Internet service is available in all patient rooms at the main facility and Women’s Hospital. This service is also available in the Critical Care Unit waiting area, Acute Stroke Unit waiting area, Food Court and East Tower location of Chick-fil-A and Subway. At Women’s Hospital, free wireless service is available in the main and nursery lobby areas, as well as Cafe Express.

For the convenience of guests without their PCs, computer kiosks with Internet access are located in the Critical Care Unit waiting area, Emergency Department waiting area and in the nursery lobby at Women’s Hospital.

Mail and e-mail messages will be delivered to your room in the medical center and the Women’s Hospital. Friends and family may e-mail you by visiting our web site, www.nmhs.net and clicking on “Patient E-mail.” Cards and letters received after you are discharged will be forwarded to your home address.

Smoking

In order to safeguard the well being of patients and staff as well as comply with regulatory agency standards, smoking is not permitted anywhere on the NMMC campus.

Safety & Security

For your protection, all jewelry and money (other than small change) should be left at home. NMMC is not responsible for any loss of money or valuables left in a patient’s room. Items such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, dentures and hearing aids should be stored in a proper container when not in use.

The Security Department has a safe available for limited safekeeping of your valuables. Your nurse can give you additional information and also assist you with safeguarding your valuables. You may call the Security Department at extension 3064 at any time to request that valuables be retrieved by a security officer. Only the designated responsible party has the authority to claim valuables.

Weapons and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on hospital property.

Leaving the Hospital

Case managers are available to assist you and your family with services that may be required after you are discharged from the hospital. If you would like to speak with someone regarding available options, please call extension 3810 from your room.

Your physician will order your discharge from the hospital. Once your physician informs you that you are ready to go home, your nurse will begin the discharge process, including reviewing your discharge instructions with you. If you have not completed your financial arrangements, a Business Services representative will contact you to make satisfactory arrangements prior to leaving the hospital. Our goal is to have you discharged within two to four hours after the physician has written your discharge orders. This time is necessary to arrange the items requested by your physician to assist in your transition home.

Please check your room before leaving to be sure that no personal items are left behind. You will be escorted to the discharge area by an ambassador, nursing service representative or volunteer. A family member or friend may pick you up there.

In the event you need health care services in the future or would like more information about our services, call THE DESK at 1-800-843-3375.

Patient Satisfaction

After receiving services at North Mississippi Medical Center, you may receive a patient satisfaction survey in the mail. One way we measure how well we serve our patients’ needs is through patient satisfaction surveys. Our organization has enlisted Press Ganey, the nation’s largest patient satisfaction survey company, to identify opportunities for improvement in patient satisfaction. If you receive a survey, we encourage you to fill it out and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

If at anytime during your hospital stay you are not totally satisfied with your stay or level of service, please ask for your charge nurse or nurse manager immediately in order to discuss your concerns.

Thank you for choosing North Mississippi Medical Center for your medical care. We welcome any questions or suggestions you may have. Please accept our best wishes for a speedy recovery. For more information about our services, please call 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).